Motorized punching bag apparatus and a system and a method for using the same

ABSTRACT

A training apparatus, a training system and method for training have a rotatable arm which allows the user to punch the punching bag while bobbing and weaving to avoid the rotatable arm. A balance base plate and post are provided which extend from the balance base plate. A horizontal arm extends from the post allowing a punching bag to depend from the horizontal arm. A motorized rotatable arm with an impact absorbent cushion at its distal end is attached to the horizontal arm and rotates which may require the user to avoid contact with the impact absorbent cushion positioned at the distal end of the motorized rotatable arm. This training apparatus simulates movements required in contact sports, such as boxing, kick-boxing, and other martial arts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of athletictraining equipment and more particularly to a free-standing punching bagtraining apparatus. The punching bag apparatus is provided with arotatable arm extending toward the region of the head and shoulders ofthe user which provides training in counter-punching and bobbing andweaving skills.

[0002] The use of punching bags and contact pads as training devices forupper body contact sports such as boxing, kick boxing, and the martialarts, is old in the art. Many punching bag devices in the prior artfocus on adjusting the height of the punching bag or improvementsthereof. Other devices utilize multiple punching bags to providetraining for those in the martial arts. One device, U.S. Pat. No.5,048,822, provides a heavy punching bag on a circular rail to allow theuser to simulate a sparring partner by following the punching bag as itmoves around its circular track. However, this does not provide thecounter-punch and bob and weave exercises necessary for effectivetraining. Another device, U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,624, provides a strikingdevice for training in the martial arts. This device provides multipletarget elements which are located on the ends of horizontal rodssuspended by a cord. By striking the target elements on one end of ahorizontal rod of this device, the target element on the other end ofthe horizontal rod is propelled in the direction of the user in anunpredictable manner so as to simulate sparring against an opponent.However, this device makes no use of a punching bag nor does itadequately provide for a bob and weave and counter-punch type oftraining. Further, counter-punching against targets suspended from acord is very likely to be quite difficult due to the amount of motionthat may be generated in the cord after the first few hits by a user.Thus, those kinds of devices generally do not provide the user with arealistic sparring type environment.

[0003] Another drawback of the prior art training devices is that theyare designed for use only with either a heavyweight punching bag or aspeed bag. There is generally no provision for a bobbing and weavingcounter-punch exercise which can, interchangeably use a speed bag, aheavy weight punching bag, or a trainer who wears target mitts. This isparticularly true in devices which require a defensive move only inreaction to the striking of a target by the user.

[0004] A need, therefore, exists for a motorized punching bag apparatusthat associates a rotatable arm with an impact absorbent cushion toprovide training in counter-punching and bobbing and weaving skills of auser. A need also exists for an improved motorized punching bag systemand a method for using the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The foregoing deficiencies and drawbacks of the prior art aresolved by providing a punching bag apparatus having a rotatable arm thatincludes a balance base, a post extending vertically upwards from thebase and a horizontal arm. The horizontal arm may horizontally bemounted on the post, a punching bag may depend from the horizontal arm,and a motorized rotatable arm having an impact absorbent cushion at itsdistal end may be attached to the horizontal arm.

[0006] The vertical post may be vertically mounted to a balance base.The balance base may provide support to the entire apparatus and may bemade with steel, wood, plastic, or a combination of appropriate elementssuch that it may be weighted down to provide a suitable base.Preferably, the balance base may be heavy enough, not only to supportthe punching bag and entire apparatus, but also to provide enoughsupport such that, upon contact of a user with the punching bag, theentire apparatus is maintained in a substantially stationary state. Thebalance base may be provided with apertures through which bolts, orother attachment devices, may be used to attach the balance base toflooring to provide the requisite support, or the balance base may beheld stationary by a combination of weights and/or securementmechanisms.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the vertical post may support thehorizontal arm, punching bag and rotating arm to an appropriate heightdepending on the user and may attach to the balance base at its lowerend. The vertical post may be constructed from steel, metal alloys, woodand/or other suitable materials. The vertical post may attach to thebalance base at a central location, or it may attach to the balance baseat an edge closest to the user depending on the shape and configurationof the balance base. During use, neither the balance base nor thevertical post may obstruct the user during his or her workout.

[0008] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the vertical postmay be adjustable such that a user may adjust the height of the entireapparatus dependent on the height of the user. This embodiment allowsthe customization of the invention depending on the size and height of aparticular user.

[0009] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the vertical postmay mount to a wall with a wall mount and the vertical post may adjustthe height of the entire apparatus dependent on the height of the user.The wall mount may provide apertures through which posts, or otherattachment devices, may be used to mount the wall mount to the wall.This embodiment allows the apparatus to be attached to a wall foradditional support and to provide a more convenient location for usingthe apparatus. Furthermore, a combination of the balance base and thewall mount may be used to support the vertical post to provide therequisite support.

[0010] A horizontal arm may attach to the vertical post. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, the horizontal arm may attach to therotatable arm and to the punching bag. In this preferred embodiment, therotatable arm may attach to the horizontal arm towards its distal end.The rotatable arm may be operated by an electric motor which may move ina circular manner or in a side-to-side manner. The punching bag, in thisembodiment, may be suspended from the horizontal arm at a point belowthe rotatable arm. In a similar fashion, as the embodiment describedabove, the rotatable arm may have sufficient padding to protect a userin the case of a user actually being struck with the moving arm.Accordingly, in this preferred embodiment, the user may bob and weave toavoid the moving rotatable arm while practicing counter-punching againstthe suspended punching bag.

[0011] It is important to note that the speed and direction of therotatable arm may be adjusted by the user to increase the level ofchallenge of the exercise. On a similar note, the speed and direction ofthe rotatable arm may be adjusted by a third party during the trainingactivity through the use of, for example, a remote control or similarvariation devices. It is this aspect of the invention that may provide auser with the complete training needed in upper body contact sports. Thepunching bag may have what is commonly known as a heavy bag.Accordingly, the heavy bag may be constructed of canvas, leather, and/orvinyl type materials and may be filled with an appropriate padding. Theheavy bag may also be adjusted to the height of a user by adjusting achain or other suspending material which may be attached to thehorizontal arm.

[0012] In other alternate embodiments, the punching bag may have asmaller medium weight bag, a speed bag, or the bag may be removed toprovide for a seated trainer who may be wearing contact mitts on his orher hands and who may provide an alternative exercise to the user. It isimportant to note that for the apparatus to provide an effectiveworkout, the distance to the bag may be properly coordinated with thelocation of the padded end of the rotatable arm when it would be in aposition to be avoided by the user. Accordingly, the horizontal arm maybe provided with a moveable attachment which may allow the punching bagto be placed closer or further away from the user.

[0013] Preferably, an electric motor may be provided to drive the motionof the rotating arm. In one embodiment, the electric motor may belocated near the axis about which the rotating arm moves and may provideeither a side-to-side motion or a circular motion. In more complexpreferred embodiments, the electric motor may be located away from therotating arm, but may be connected to it through the use of common driveelements known to one skilled in the art.

[0014] In another embodiment, the electric motor may be separated fromthe rotating arm, but may be connected to it through an intermediatearm. Further, the intermediate arm may be attached to the electric motorat an end and may be attached to the rotating arm at a distal end. Stillfurther, the intermediate arm may extend horizontally outwards towardthe user from a support box housing, and the rotating arm may extenddownward from the distal end of the intermediate arm. In thisembodiment, the electric motor may move the intermediate arm and/or therotatable arm in a side-to-side manner.

[0015] Further, the embodiments which use a motor that is not immediateto the rotating arm may have the drive elements located within thehorizontal arm and the substantially vertical post for safety and designreasons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electric motormay be equipped with a force sensor which may allow the arrest of themovement of the rotating arm when the rotating arm meets with anobstruction or a force of an unacceptable level. In this embodiment, theforce sensor may provide the invention with an important level ofsafety. Additionally, the electric motor may be equipped with adifferential, or a slipping gear, which may not only arrest the movementof the arm in the case of contact with a substantially immoveableobstacle, but may also protect the electric motor from damage resultingfrom such a contact. In another embodiment, the safety aspect may beprovided by a flexible rotating arm or a collapsible rotating arm whichmay be replaced.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the electric motor may beused in conjunction with a microprocessor or other type of electroniccontrol device to provide a variable movement to the rotating arm. Insuch an embodiment of the invention, the electronically controlledrotating arm may be used to simulate a flurry -of punches, regularjab-type punches, or a combination of the two. Additionally, theelectronics may be programmed by software to provide a customizedworkout according to what a particular user may want. Further, theelectric motor may be utilized in conjunction with a U-joint wherein themotion and speed of the rotating arm may be varied in an almost endlessvariety of ways.

[0017] The electric motor may be of the type which allows a circular orsemi-circular movement of the rotating arm in a generally horizontalplane. In practice, a ceiling fan type motor or its improved equivalentis contemplated as within the scope of the invention. The motor may, inother preferred embodiments, be of the type which may allow analternating movement. In practice, a windshield wiper type motor orother lightweight motor is contemplated as within the scope of thisembodiment of the invention.

[0018] It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention toprovide a training apparatus, a training system and a method fortraining with a rotatable arm which provides training for contactsports.

[0019] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide atraining apparatus, a training system and a method for training with arotatable arm which provides users with the opportunity to practicebobbing and weaving skills while working with a punching bag.

[0020] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide atraining apparatus, a training system and a method for training with arotatable arm that allows a user to improve counterpunching skills whilebobbing and weaving to avoid the rotatable arm.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a trainingapparatus, a training system and a method for training with a rotatablearm which allows for a variable workout by controlling the speed of therotatable arm in accordance with the bobbing and weaving skills of aparticular user.

[0022] Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motorized punching bagapparatus.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a motorizedpunching bag apparatus.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a motorizedpunching bag apparatus.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a motorizedpunching bag apparatus.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps required for use of anembodiment having programmable memory and a remote control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a punching bag apparatus 10 isshown. The punching bag apparatus 10 may generally include supportstructures, bag associated structures, and structures of the rotatablearm. The support structures may include a balance base 12 which may havea counterweight 14. The balance base 12 may also include a post footing16 and a post support 18 which may support a substantially vertical post20. The substantially vertical post 20 may extend upwardly to meet alongwith an arm support 22 which may support a horizontal arm 24 at a postand arm joint 26.

[0029] Additionally, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the structures of arotatable arm which may include a support cylinder housing 28 which maybe connected to the horizontal arm 24. The support cylinder housing 28may contain a suitable motor (not shown in the figures) which mayprovide rotational motion for a rotatable arm 30. The rotational motionmay be a complete 360° rotation and/or rotations less than 360°.Further, the rotational motion may move the rotatable arm 30 in aside-to-side manner. The rotatable arm 30 may be attached to the supportcylinder 28 at one end. At a distal end of the rotatable arm 30 may beattached an impact absorbent cushion 32. Further, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2illustrate the bag associated structures which may include a connectorheadpiece 34 that may be attached to the support cylinder housing 28.Still further, FIG. 1 illustrates a punching bag chain 36 that may beconnected to the connector headpiece 34 and the punching bag chain 36 inturn may support a punching bag 38. Additionally, FIG. 2 illustrates thepunching bag chain 36 may support what is commonly known as a speed bag40. However, both heavy bags and speed bags are contemplated as withinthe scope of the invention described herein.

[0030]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 also illustrate the balance base 12 which, in apreferred embodiment of punching bag apparatus 10, may be constructed ofa steel plate. However, in other embodiments of the invention, thebalance base 12 may be made from wood, plastic, cement, and/or othermaterials. The function of the balance base 12 is to provide acounterweight to the rotatable arm 30 and the punching bag 38 or thespeed bag 40 and to provide a sturdy and substantially immobile platformfrom which to support the punching bag 38 or the speed bag 40. Thecounterweight 14 may or may not be needed depending on the type ofbalance base 12 that may be utilized. However, in one embodiment of theinvention, the counterweight 14 may be constructed from steel weights,sandbags, concrete blocks, and/or similar materials. The post footing 16may be a sufficiently industrial quality as known by a person skilled inthe art and may be used to attach and support the substantially verticalpost 20.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, the post support 18 may bealso utilized to support the substantially vertical post 20. However,alternate embodiments are contemplated whereby the post support 18 maynot be necessary to provide adequate support to the vertical post 20.The vertical post 20 may be made from sufficiently strong material so asto support the rotatable arm 30 and the punching bag 38 or the speed bag40. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertical post 20may be constructed of a square or a rectangular steel beam. In otheralternate embodiments of the invention, the vertical post 20 may be madefrom wood, plastic, and/or other metals, and/or composites of the abovematerials. Along with the arm support 22, the vertical post 20 maysupport the horizontal arm 24. Again, because the horizontal arm 24supports the rotatable arm 30 and the punching bag 38 or the speed bag40, the horizontal arm 24 may be made from a sufficiently strongmaterial. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the horizontal arm 24may be made from, for example, steel. In other alternate embodiments ofthe invention, the horizontal arm 24 may be made of materials asdescribed above for the vertical post 20.

[0032]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 further illustrate the support cylinder housing28 which may be attached, in order, from top to bottom, the rotatablearm 30 and the punching bag 38 or the speed bag 40 by way of theconnector headpiece 34 and the punching bag chain 36 to the horizontalarm 24. The support cylinder housing 28 may provide structural supportto the rotatable arm 30 and the punching bag 38 or the speed bag 40 andalso may provide a housing for more complex embodiments of the punchingbag apparatus 10. The rotatable arm 30, in a preferred embodiment, maybe a hollow tube. The hollow tube may reduce the weight of the rotatablearm 30, may reduce the stress associated with a heavy rotatable arm 30on the remainder of the apparatus and may provide a degree of safety inthat no significant momentum may develop in the rotatable arm 30 asmight cause injury to a user. Further, the stress placed on the motormay be reduced if the rotatable arm 30 is lightweight.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the rotatable arm 30 may beconstructed of a flexible material which may provide yet another degreeof safety to the user. Materials appropriate for such flexibilitygenerally may include, for example, polymeric plastic materials.However, lightweight wood or metal tubing may also be contemplated aswithin the scope of this invention. The impact absorbent cushion 32 maypreferably be made of a fabric or leather outer liner and a paddedstuffing. A central, hollow core may further be provided to decrease theweight of the impact absorbent cushion 32. The impact absorbent cushion32 may be removable in one embodiment for sanitary purposes.

[0034] The support cylinder housing 28 may connect to the connectorheadpiece 34 which, in turn, may connect to the punching bag chain 36and the punching bag 38 or the speed bag 40. The connector headpiece 34in one embodiment of the invention may simply be a hook (not shown inthe pictures) with which to attach the punching bag chain 36 to thesupport cylinder housing 28. However, in other embodiments the connectorheadpiece 34 may include a movable coupling (not shown in the pictures)having a swivel joint to provide better positioning of the punching bag38 or the speed bag 40 and may remove any twist which may be generatedin the punching bag chain 36. Use of such a swivel joint is consideredstandard in punching bag support and attachment mechanisms.

[0035]FIG. 2 further illustrates the support cylinder housing 28 whichmay have an infrared remote sensor 44 to provide a third party, such asa trainer, with the capability of varying the movement of the rotatablearm 30. Further, signals to direct the motor speed/duration may be sentvia a transmitter 42 and may be received by the infrared remote sensor.Moreover, remotely generated signals known by those skilled in the artare contemplated as within the scope of the invention described herein.

[0036] Alternate embodiments of the present invention may include aforce sensor (not shown in the figures) in the support cylinder housing28 to provide a mechanism which may arrest the rotating of the rotatablearm 30 when an unacceptable level of resistance meets with the rotatablearm 30. In other embodiments, a processor programmable with software(not shown in the pictures) may be included within the support cylinderhousing 28 to direct the motor and thus the speed, direction andvariability of the movement of the rotatable arm 30. In this embodiment,the user may engage in a customized workout which may be tailored to theparticular skill level of the user.

[0037]FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment of a motorized punching bag apparatus 100, a support cylinderhousing 128, a rotatable arm 130, and an impact absorbent cushion 132may be structurally separate from a connector headpiece 134, a punchingbag chain 136, and a speed bag 138. FIG. 3 further illustrates theconnector headpiece 134 may attach to the horizontal arm 122 at a pointcloser to the vertical post 118 than a point at which the supportcylinder housing 128 may attach to the horizontal arm 122

[0038]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of amotorized punching bag apparatus 300. In this embodiment of the punchingbag apparatus 300, a substantially vertical post 318 may mount to a wall302 with, for example, a wall mount 304 and mounting posts 306. Thesubstantially vertical post 318 may extend upwardly and join an armsupport 324 which may support a horizontal arm 322. A support boxhousing 328 may be connected to the horizontal arm 322. The support boxhousing 328 may contain a suitable motor (not shown in the figures)which may provide rotational motion to an intermediate arm 330 and arotatable arm 332. The degree of rotation may be less than 360°,semi-circular and/or less than 180°. Further, the rotational motion maymove the intermediate arm 330 and the rotatable arm 332 in aside-to-side manner. The motor may attach to an end of the intermediatearm 330 and may extend outwardly away from the vertical post 318. Therotatable arm 332 with an impact absorbent cushion 340 may attachdownwardly to the intermediate arm 330.

[0039]FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart which describes the steps involvedin using an embodiment of the present invention containing aprogrammable memory and a remote control device. In Step 210, arotational command may be entered into a remote control device such as,for example, a hand held remote with a keypad and an infraredcapability. In Step 220, the remote control device may transmit thecommand to a receiver apparatus which may be located on a punching bagapparatus. The receiver apparatus may have, for example, an infrareddetection crystal connected to appropriate electronic signal translationequipment. In Step 230, the command may then be received and processed.Step 230 may include an accessing of memory located in a means forrotating a rotatable arm which may include different lengths of workoutsdesired by individual users and variations in a rotational speed of therotatable arm during an individual workout. Further, processing may alsoinclude an appropriate translation of the command into an electricsignal for an electric motor. In Step 240, the command may be sent tothe electric motor. In Step 250, the electric motor may vary itsoperation in response to the command. Accordingly, the punching bagapparatus, in one embodiment of the present invention, may be customizedfor an exercise of a particular individual.

[0040] It should be understood that various changes and modifications tothe presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An training apparatus comprising: a support mechanism; arotatable arm having an impact absorbent cushion attached to therotatable arm; a motor connected to the rotatable arm and attached tothe support mechanism wherein the motor rotates the impact absorbentcushion; and a bag attached to the support mechanism wherein the bag isstationary and further wherein the bag is detached from the rotatablearm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a counter-weightattached to the support mechanism wherein the counter-weight is verticalwith respect to the support mechanism and further wherein the supportmechanism extends upward from the counter-weight.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: an arm attached to the support mechanismwherein the arm is vertical with respect to the support mechanism andfurther wherein the motor connects to the arm.
 4. The apparatus of claim1 further comprising: a wall-mount attached to the support mechanismwherein the wall-mount is parallel to the support mechanism and furtherwherein the bag suspends from the support mechanism.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: a post attached to the support mechanismwherein the post is vertical with respect to the support mechanism andfurther wherein the bag suspends from the support mechanism.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a base attached to the supportmechanism wherein the base is vertical with respect to the supportmechanism.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a housingconnected to the support mechanism wherein the motor is within thehousing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a cylinderconnected to the support mechanism wherein the cylinder is vertical withrespect to the support mechanism and further wherein the cylinder isattached to the bag.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: anintermediate arm connecting the motor to the rotatable arm wherein theintermediate arm is vertical with respect to the rotatable arm.
 10. Atraining system comprising: a support means; an impact absorbent cushionconnected to the support means; a counter-punching means connected tothe support means; a motor attached to the support means wherein themotor connects to the impact absorbent cushion and further wherein themotor rotates the impact absorbent cushion; and a controlling meansattached to the motor.
 11. The system of claim 10 further comprising: amounting means connected to the support means wherein the support meanssuspends from the mounting means.
 12. The system of claim 10 furthercomprising: a bag suspended from the support mean.
 13. The system ofclaim 10 further comprising: a counter-balance weight attached to thesupport means wherein the support means is stationary.
 14. The system ofclaim 10 further comprising: an attaching means connecting thecounter-punching means to the support means wherein the counter-punchingmeans is stationary.
 15. The system of claim 10 further comprising: aremote device operatively connected to the controlling means wherein theremote device provides a signal to direct the controlling means.
 16. Amethod for training, the method comprising the steps of: attaching amotor to a support mechanism; connecting an arm to the motor; attachinga contact pad to the arm; suspending a bag from the support mechanismwherein the bag is stationary and further wherein the bag is detachedfrom the arm; and rotating the contact pad at a speed with the motor.17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: holding thesupport mechanism wherein the bag is suspended and further wherein thesupport mechanism is stationary.
 18. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising the step of: suspending the support mechanism wherein thesupport mechanism is stationary.
 19. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising the step of: attaching the arm to the motor wherein the armis vertical with respect to the support mechanism.
 20. The method ofclaim 16 further comprising the step of: adjusting the speed of themotor.